Meet The Staff

Meet the JSOD Staff!

The staff of Joy’s School of Dance consists of a highly qualified group of instructors whose major concern is education, enjoyment and enrichment of their students. Their specialties include classical and contemporary ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, modern, hip hop, pilates and ballroom. Our JSOD staff has more than 100 years of teaching experience combined!

2009-2010 Student Assistants -

The JSOD Staff!

Natalie George

Studio Owner, Lead Dance Company Instructor, Tap and Jazz Instructor for all levels, more than 10 years of teaching experience, BA in Public Relations Baylor University, TATD Member, TATD Guest Faculty, former JSOD Dance Company Member, Baylor Dance Company Advisor and Instructor, Baylor University Faculty HHPR Dance Instructor

Lydia Spano

More than 6 years of teaching experience, Ballet and Pointe Instructor, Ballet Magnificat Omega Company Member, Assistant to the Artistic Director, Master Teacher in USA, Belize, Honduras, Czech Republic, and Prague, Ballet Austin Company Member, Northwest Pacific Ballet

Sarah Schaffer

More than 10 years of teaching experience, Dance Company Instructor, Tap and Jazz Instructor, BBA in Marketing Harding University, MBA in Management Tarleton University, Marketing Representative for Central Texas Advanced Medical Imaging, Hill College Adjunct Faculty, Baylor Dance Company Advisor and Instructor, Certified Yoga Instructor

Amanda McKethan

5 years of teaching experience, Teen Jazz and 5&6 Year Old and Level 1 &2 Instructor, 4th Grade teacher at Bells Hill Elementary School, Former JSOD Dance Company Member

Sam Adair

4 years of teaching experience, Preschool, 5&6 Year Old and Level 1,2,3 Ballet Instructor, currently pursing a degree in Physical Therapy at MCC, former JSOD Dance Company Member

Amanda Gohring

4 years of teaching experience, Hip Hop and 5&6 year old Instructor, currently pursuing a degree at MCC, former JSOD Dance Company Member, Lorena Legacy Director

Carly Connally

3 years of teaching experience, Ballet Instructor, Jazz assistant, Senior at Lorena High School, President of National Honor Society, 2 years of Leiutenant on Lorena Dance Team, VP of Student Council, JSOD Company Member

Jordan Gradel

3 years of teaching experience, Jazz Instructor, Tap and Jazz assistant, Senior at Reicher High School, Varsity Cheerleader, Varsity Basketball, Varsity Track, Homecoming and Prom comittee, Theater

Courtney Frankum

3 years of teaching experience, has been dancing since age 3, Preschool and 5&6 year old teacher, pursuing a degree in Education at MCC

Alera Budd

Emily Dye

Past JSOD Instructors - Always a part of our family!

Joy Burkhart

Past owner, more than 30 years of teaching experience, TCU BBA in Marketing, member of Dance Masters of America (DMA), Texas Association Teachers of Dance (TATD), and the American Council of Fitness (ACF), Certification Examiner for TATD,Former Baylor University Faculty HHPR Dance Instructor - Dance Minor Program, Baylor Dance Company Advisor

Meredith Sutton

More than 20 years of teaching experience, Ballerina Dreams Instructor, BFA in Dance West Texas A&M, MFA in Directing Baylor University, Baylor University Faculty Dance Instructor, Faculty Advisor- Baylor Dance Company

Anna Galt

4 years of teaching experience, Hip Hop Instructor, BA in Studio Art from Baylor University, Dance Minor

Amanda Seale

7 years of teaching experience, Contemporary Ballet, Preschool, 5&6 Year Old, Adult Ballet and Ballerina Dreams Instructor, BBA in Music and Entertainment Marketing from Baylor University

Jade George

9 years of teaching experience, BS in Early Childhood Education, currently pursuing Masters in Counseling, past Kindergarten Teacher at South Bosque Elementary, Elementary Counselor at China Spring ISD, former JSOD Company Member

Stephanie Ulmer

More than 10 years of teaching experience, BS in Organizational Management, San Francisco Ballet, Inland Ballet Theater, Berkeley Ballet Theater, Oakland Ballet, Contra Costa Ballet